Похищенный - [15]

То был тоненький сборник баллад

unacknowledged, but nevertheless getting firmly settled in my head, I now began to imitate his covert looks; so that we sat at table like a cat and a mouse, each stealthily observing the other. Not another word had he to say to me, black or white, but was busy turning something secretly over in his mind; and the longer we sat and the more I looked at him, the

more certain I became that the something was unfriendly to myself. When he had cleared the platter, he got out a single pipeful of tobacco, just as in the morning, turned round a stool into the chimney corner, and sat awhile smoking, with his back to me. "Davie," he said, at length, "I've been thinking;" then he paused, and said it again. "There's a wee bit siller that I half promised ye before ye were born," he continued; "promised it to your father. O, naething legal, ye understand; just gentlemen daffing at their wine. Well, I keepit that bit money separate--it was a great expense, but a promise is a promise--and it has grown by now to be a matter of just precisely--just exactly "--and here he paused and stumbled--"of just exactly forty pounds!" This last he rapped out with a sidelong glance over his shoulder; and the next moment added, almost with a scream, "Scots!" The pound Scots being the same thing as an English shilling, the difference made by this second thought was considerable; I could see, besides, that the whole story was a lie, invented with some end which it puzzled me to guess; and I made no attempt to conceal the tone of raillery in which I answered-- "O, think again, sir!
Pounds sterling, I believe!" "That's what I said," returned my uncle: "pounds sterling!	-Я и сказал: "фунтов стерлингов"! - подтвердил дядюшка.
And if you'll step out-by to the door a minute, just to see what kind of a night it is, I'll get it out to ye and call ye in again."	- Ты бы на минуту вышел за дверь, взглянул, какая погода на дворе, а я б их тебе достал и кликнул тебя обратно.
I did his will, smiling to myself in my contempt that he should think I was so easily to be deceived.	Я послушался, презрительно усмехаясь про себя: он думает, что меня так легко обвести вокруг пальца.
It was a dark night, with a few stars low down; and as I stood just outside the door, I heard a hollow moaning of wind far off among the hills.	Ночь была темная, низко над краем земли мерцали редкие звезды; я слышал, стоя на пороге, как с заунывным воем носится ветер меж дальних холмов.
I said to myself there was something thundery and changeful in the weather, and little knew of what a vast importance that should prove to me before the evening passed.	Помню, я отметил, что погода меняется и, будет гроза, но мог ли я знать, как это важно окажется для меня еще до исхода ночи...
When I was called in again, my uncle counted out into my hand seven and thirty golden guinea pieces; the rest was in his hand, in small gold and silver; but his heart failed him there, and he crammed the change into his pocket.	Потом дядя позвал меня обратно, отсчитал мне в руку тридцать семь золотых гиней; но когда у него оставалась лишь пригоршня золотой и серебряной мелочи, сердце его не выдержало, и он ссыпал ее себе в карман.
"There," said he, "that'll show you!	- Вот тебе, - произнес он. - Видишь теперь?
I'm a queer man, and strange wi' strangers; but my word is my bond, and there's the proof of it."	Я человек странный, тем более с чужими, но слово мое нерушимо, и вот тому доказательство.

Now, my uncle seemed so miserly that I was struck dumb by this sudden generosity, and could find no words in which to thank him.	Говоря по правде, мой дядя казался таким отъявленным скопидомом, что я онемел от столь внезапной щедрости и даже не сумел толком его поблагодарить.
"No a word!" said he.	- Не надо слов! - возгласил он.
"Nae thanks; I want nae thanks.	- Не надо благодарности!
I do my duty. I'm no saying that everybody would have, done it; but for my part (though I'm a careful body, too) it's a pleasure to me to do the right by my brother's son; and it's a pleasure to me to think that now we'll agree as such near friends should."	Я исполнил свой долг; я не говорю, что всякий поступил бы так же, но мне (хоть я и осмотрительный человек) только приятно сделать доброе дело сыну моего брата и приятно думать, что теперь между нами все пойдет на лад, как и должно у таких близких друзей.
I spoke him in return as handsomely as I was able; but all the while I was wondering what would come next, and why he had parted with his precious guineas; for as to the reason he had given, a baby would have refused it.	Я ответил ему со всей учтивостью, на какую был способен, а сам тем временем гадал, что будет дальше и чего ради он расстался со своими ненаглядными гинеями: ведь его объяснение не обмануло бы и младенца.
Presently he looked towards me sideways.	Но вот он кинул на меня косой взгляд.
"And see here," says he, "tit for tat."	- Ну и, сам понимаешь, - сказал он, - услуга за услугу.
I told him I was ready to prove my gratitude in any reasonable degree, and then waited, looking for some monstrous demand.